Quassa quits

IQALUIT — Paul Quassa’s resignation as president of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. was accepted by NTI’s board of directors Tuesday.

He’s been president of NTI since December 1999.

According to an NTI press release issued last week, Quassa resigned for personal reasons, including needing more time to spend with his family.

His resignation is effective July 31, when NTI vice-president James Eetoolook will take over as acting president.

Eetoolook will act as president until a byelection is held.

NTI board members will decide in the next two weeks whether to hold the byelection during NTI’s annual general assembly this October or wait until December when elections for first vice-president and vice-president of finance are scheduled.

This is the third time Quassa has stepped down as president of Nunavut’s land-claims organizations.

The first time was in 1992 after Quassa was charged with sexual assault. He was convicted, but received an absolute discharge. After an accused person has been found guilty by way of a plea or conviction after trial, a discharge may be granted by the court, eventually nullifying any criminal record that the guilty person may have had.

The second time was in 1994 when he was charged by the RCMP for abandoning a child and resisting arrest.

Last October, the board of directors suspended Quassa for misusing NTI money. He was reinstated in December after reimbursing NTI for the approximately $30,000 he had used without permission.